Inside Asian Gaming

March 2008 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 45 Feature T heAsia’sGEMEXPOwillspan9,130ssq.mattheSMXConvention Center, showcasing the latest wares from the world’s leading gaming machine and equipment manufacturers. Notably, one of the stated goals of Asia’s GEM is to also to provide small- and medium-sized suppliers opportunities to exhibit and network in Asia. A day before the EXPO, on April 2, there will be a full-day conference. The Gaming, Tourism & Investment Congress at the Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila is expected to be attended by 5,000 delegates and feature presentations by heads of some of the leading international gaming companies. Therewill also be variety of informal networking events alongside the EXPO and Congress, including the invitational golf tournament, card dealing competitions and the World Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament sponsored jointly by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Jack Binion—who created the World Series of Poker at Binion’s Horseshoe in Las Vegas in 1970. What could be of particular interest to Asian casino operators, many of who are currently in a mad dash to expand, are the talent management centres and booking offices showcasing Filipino casino talent at Asia’s GEM. Dealer salaries in the Philippines typically start at about US$150, compared to as much as US$2,000 in Macau. Although the Macau government currently bans casinos from using imported workers Sparkling Display The third annual Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment + Leisure Expo Manila (Asia’s GEM), which runs April 3-4, will not only showcase the latest gaming equipment from around the world, but also present to the world the Philippines’ greatest gaming asset—its labour